Fence near site of train accident has been repaired

A 14-year-old city girl is recovering after losing part of her leg in a train accident near the Greendale Mall yesterday. Police officials said her injuries are not life-threatening.

Meanwhile the section of fence between the mall and the railroad tracks, which had been pulled apart so people could cut across the tracks to go back and forth to the mall, has been repaired. Officials from the Providence and Worcester Railroad Co. said the fence is maintained by the mall.

Witnesses said teenagers constantly cut through that section of fence. Police Chief Gary J. Gemme said officers will keep an eye out to see if the practice continues, but said that the area needs to be secured by the owners.

Through a public relations consultant, Simon Malls, which owns Greendale Mall, said the company would not make any comment on the fence or the accident.

Just before the accident, the girl had been walking with two other people when she got onto the tracks on the opposite side of the mall parking lot. She made a grab for the nearby freight train's ladder, but lost her footing, and the train rolled over her leg The incident occurred behind 100 Barber Ave. about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday.

A witness, Jason Desrosiers, saw the girl fall and called 911. He said the teen's right leg appeared to have been severed.

Medical personnel rushed to the teen's aid and took her to UMass Memorial Medical Center — University Campus. The incident is under investigation by police.